NJ taking up expanded compulsive gambling services

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

TRENTON (AP) — New Jersey officials are seeking new ways to expand services to young at-risk problem gamblers after the state recently allowed online betting.

The Council on Compulsive Gambling will consider several ideas at a forum being staged Wednesday at the Statehouse in Trenton. Among those due to attend are gambling industry leaders, law enforcement and state officials.

Experts fear that online betting could create more serious problems for underage gamblers, so they plan to push for more preventative measures. They will address the need for a private-public sector partnership to create an expanded system that includes intervention and treatment services.

New Jersey became the third state in the nation to legalize internet gambling in February.